The Blues have been strongly linked with a move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez and reports even claim that the Blues are willing to double his current wages in an attempt to lure the Inter Milan striker to Stamford Bridge.
However, The Argentina international is currently one of Europe’s hottest properties following a standout season at Inter Milan, and Manchester City are keen to hijack the deal and trigger his release clause.
Man City’s board are said to have no qualms about activating Martinez’s buy-out clause and Pep Guardiola believes the forward could represent a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero who’ll turn 32 in June.
Argentina legend and former Chelsea star Hernan Crespo believes Chelsea and Barcelona target Lautaro Martinez shares many qualities with the prolific Manchester City striker and has labelled Martinez as the ‘new Sergio Aguero’.
He told Sky Sports Italy: “We know Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala, while we’re getting to see what Lautaro Martinez can do.
“Lautaro could well be the new Sergio Aguero. He’s not as sharp in his dribbling, but he is more of a team player than Kun, who too often gets distracted and looks disinterested.
“Lautaro is always participating in the move, so he can play as a lone centre-forward or with another striker like Romelu Lukaku, even in a trident. I really like his mentality.”